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Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq.
| Family Name: | Loranthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Amylotheca pentandrus |
| Common Name: | Malayan Mistletoe, Mistletoe Plant, 五蕊寄生 |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Heterotrophic (Symbiotic - Parasite of) |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, East India, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A parasitic, woody shrub, it can grow up to 2m in height. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The simple leaves are arranged alternately along the branches and are lanceolate to elliptic in shape. The leaf blade is thick and leathery, the lateral veins are conspicuous and 2 to 4 pairs can be seen. The leaf blade is approximately 8 to 10cm long. |
| Stems | The stems are greyish and lenticellate. |
| Flowers | The cylindrical flowers are borne on axillary racemes and are bisexual. The corolla is pink or orange and is slightly inflated at the base. The stamens and stigma are extruded. |
| Fruit | The fruit is a red berry which is minutely pilose or glabrous. |
| Associated Flora | Lumnitzera species are observed to be the preferred hosts in Singapore. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden, Butterfly Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | A parasitic plant, its growth on the host tree needs to be kept in check to prevent deterioration of the host tree. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant (Leaves, Associated with: Delias hyparete metarete (Butler, 1879)), Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green, Pink, Yellow / Golden, Orange |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Pink, Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
References
| References | Yang et al. 2013 The current status of mangrove forests in Singapore. Proceedings of Nature Society, Singapore's conference on 'Nature Conservation for a Sustainable Singapore' - 16th October 2011. pp 99- 120. |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 9258 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3318 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |